By Jo Mathis
Legal News
Matt Daniels was born and raised in Ann Arbor, and attended Huron High School before obtaining a degree in journalism from the University of Colorado.
He is a cum laude graduate of the MSU College of Law, where he was a member of the American Constitution Society and the International Law Society, and an active member of the appellate moot court team, competing and placing well in two national competitions. He placed regularly on the Dean’s list, and received the Jurisprudence Award for Law and Literature in the Summer 2010.
His career includes summer clerkships in private practice in Michigan and in the public sector with the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs in Washington, D.C.
After graduating from law school in 2011, Daniels began work as an associate attorney at Pear Sperling Eggan & Daniels, working closely with his father, Tom, who has been a litigator with PSED since 1983.
His practice is broadly focused on civil litigation, with an emphasis on personal injury, landlord-tenant, and insurance coverage matters. In addition, he works on a variety of probate matters with Andy Eggan, one of three Washtenaw County public administrators.
He works out of PSED Law’s Ypsilanti Office on Huron Street.
Residence: Ann Arbor.
What advice do you have for someone considering law school? Don’t just go to go. I think a lot of people in their early to mid twenties aren’t sure what the next step in their life is going to be and law school makes a lot of sense just based on the fact that your family and friends will approve, and it gives you three more years to avoid the hard process of figuring out what you want to do from 9:00 to 5:00 for the next 30 years. Have some reason for going to law school other than not being able to come up with something better. Otherwise, make sure you do your best on the LSAT, even if that means spending time and money on a prep course. So much of the admissions process hinges on how you do on that one test, so it’s worth it to do everything you can to score well.
Favorite local hangouts: Literati Bookstore, Sic Transit Cycles, Sidetrack, and Pacific Rim.
Favorite websites: The Washington Post, The Daily Beast, and Youtube.
Favorite app: ESPN Fantasy Football App.
Favorite CD: I don’t know what a CD is, but I’m a big fan of Spotify for music listening purposes. Also, I’m currently recommending that all attorneys listen to Serial, a podcast about a murder case in Baltimore in 1999.
Favorite Movie: “Down By Law.”
Favorite TV Shows: “The Sopranos,” “The Wire,” and “Arrested Development.”
What would surprise people about your job? With the right mentors and a good work ethic, anyone can be a good attorney. That’s all it takes.
What is your most typical mood? Upbeat.
Why did you become a lawyer? In large part it was because of the lawyers that I’ve known, namely my father. Tom has always been so passionate about his work and also totally fulfilled by it. For my entire life I’ve seen how much he loved practicing law, and that really made me want to follow in his footsteps. In addition, working at Legal Services and for John Shea really shaped my attitude about practicing law. You see how committed lawyers like John Shea and Paul Sher are to their clients interests and it’s inspiring, it made me want to do it.
If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would that be? Phil Ivey, the best poker player in the world.
What’s the most awe-inspiring place you’ve ever been? La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain.
What did you do last weekend? I spent the weekend with my girlfriend who lives in Chicago.
What would you say to your 16-year-old self? Be a little bit more serious.
What is your proudest moment as a lawyer? Obtaining a good settlement for a client that was injured in a slip and fall accident.
What do you to relax? Golf, go to the gym, read, and watch TV.
What is the best advice you ever received? 1. Don’t talk about people behind their backs; and 2. When you’re at work, work.
Favorite place to spend money: Miles of Golf
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